The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 crossed the continent, from Oregon to South Carolina, and gave millions of people the chance to witness one of the most awe-inspiring events in the natural world.

But you had to be within the "path of totality", a narrow band across the earth's surface several thousand miles long but only about 70 miles wide. Outside that band you would only see a partial eclipse, not a total eclipse.

And there is no such thing as a "partial total eclipse", despite the impression blogs and the news media might give. I honestly think that's why so many people misunderstand the utter beauty of the spectacle; they may have seen a partial eclipse in the past that was total somewhere else, and even though they weren't in the path the news kept gushing about it being a total eclipse, so they assume they must have seen a total eclipse and just didn't find it all that impressive.


Posted by Dan 08/29/2017, revised 09/06/2017

I can't think of a more perfect way to say goodbye to this wonderful city than spending the weekend surrounded by what I love most, at the biggest triathlon party of the year: Ironman Wisconsin.



Although living in Madison has made this extraordinary experience seem almost commonplace (throw a rock into a crowd anywhere in this town, and you're bound to hit someone's M-dot tattoo), this is a day when hundreds see their dreams come true.

Even locals who have zero interest in endurance sports know that it's worth getting downtown to spend a little time watching the finish line for a healthy dose of motivation and raw emotion. There is nothing else like it.

Since this is my career and my passion, naturally I didn't want to miss a minute of it.


Posted by Kimberly 09/09/2014

In December 2001, Nik graduated with honors from Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, with a degree in Automotive and Truck Technology. He made the Director's Honor List 13 times and was named Student of the Phase three times. His final GPA was 3.95.

Nik now works for a boat repair shop on the SF-Bay waterfront in Alameda. He performs maintenance and repairs on all manner of recreational watercraft, including fishing, power and sailboats.

Posted by Dan 01/07/2002

It's RAINING! And by 'raining,' I mean a waterfall on my head. This makes Oregon's rain look like spit.

But I rode to the uni in shorts, sandals, and a tank-top. Haha. It's deliciously warm, except when you get soaked all the way through, and then have to enter an air-conditioned lecture hall. Ugh. I'm so glad I shaved my head, though! This much rain would not be nearly as fun if I had a mop on my head to worry about.

Oh yeah, and remember those little walk-ways through the trees that I mentioned? Not as nice when it's dumping water. I've been entirely against unbrellas my whole time living in Oregon - only Californians and ninnies use umbrellas in oregon - but here, it's just a smart choice. I'm going to have to use an umbrella for the first time in 4 years!
Posted by Whitney 02/25/2008